Police witness assault during emphasis patrols on Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill businesses and residents asked for more police patrols to combat a spike in crime, and they got them over the weekend.

The latest crime statistics had been showing an increase in assaults and robberies on Capitol Hill. Using those statistics and responding to public requests for more patrols, the police deployed officers on foot and on bike in Capitol Hill. Officers focused on Broadway between E Pike Street and Cal Anderson Park.

The results of the extra patrols were immediate. They yielded four arrests for crimes that they witnessed, including an assault.

The Seattle Police Department says they will continue to use bi-weekly crime stats to deploy emphasis patrols in areas where crime appears to be spiking.